Larger Than Life: 8 Overweight Celebs Who Died Too Soon

America is the fattest nation in the world where millions scarf down family-sized meals daily without any concern for their health. If you’re not skinny or fit, you’re usually frowned upon and warned to change your diet (OR ELSE) but it's never that simple. Beloved by many, larger celebs have always been torn between losing weight and staying true to themselves as lovable plus-sized entertainers.
Here are the eight overweight celebs who died too soon. Take a look.

James Gandolfini, 1961-2013
The man known to millions as ruthless yet deeply-vulnerable husband, father and crime boss “Tony Soprano” died a widely-adored TV icon whose impact on scripted drama won’t fully be felt until years later.

Big Pun, 1971-2000
The larger-than-life Hip-Hop legend was so ahead of his time, lyrically, it was surreal before suffering a fatal heart attack at the height of his career. He reportedly weighed 700 pounds when he died.

Heavy D, 1967-2011
Very few rappers (in music history) put on a show like the “Overweight Lover” who made chubby cool as the feather-footed dance machine who owned the ’90s. Greatest live performer in Rap history (before suffering fatal blood clots at 41)? Many believe so.

Patrice O’Neal, 1969-2011
He was the most vicious, obnoxious, hilarious yet genuinely-profound comedian of his era who rarely received the praise he deserved and ultimately died of a stroke at 41. For those unfamiliar, check out his brilliant comedy special “Elephant in the Room.” Pun intended.

Chris Farley, 1964-1997
The insanely-funny chubby lumpkins went from Saturday Night Live to starring in one of the funniest comedies ever (“Tommy Boy”) before his love for booze and drugs (coupled with morbid obesity) lead to his untimely death at 33.

Robert F. Chew (“Prop Joe”), 1960-2013
Perhaps the most intriguing character in HBO’s iconic drama series “The Wire,” Prop Joe’s classic quotables and ideals will love on through loyal “Wire” fans forever. Originally from Baltimore, he died of heart failure at 52.

Robert “Tractor” Traylor, 1977-2011
The 6-foot-8, 300-pound forward abused opposing teams in the paint with his Hulk-like frame for 7 NBA seasons before ballooning to 400+ pounds, falling from grace and eventually dying of a shocking heart attack at only 34.
Photo credit: ESPN.com

John Candy, 1950-1994
The lovable comedian struggled with obesity for most of his life and was typecast as the jolly fat guy with a golden heart in classic family movies (“Home Alone”) and his own cartoon ("Camp Candy"). Sadly, he died in his sleep of a heart attack at 43.